Imitation straw hat and in the method of producing the same



April 3, 1934. w go I 1,953,697

IMITA'IION STRAW HAT AND IN THE METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME Filed May20, 1933 Patented Apr. 3, 1934 UNITED STATES IMITATION STRAW HAT AND INTHE,

METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME Edward Wittcolf, University City, Mo.,assignor to Caradine Hat Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation ofMissouri Application May 20, 1933, Serial No. 671,974

12 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the manufacture of hats and has moreparticular reference to an imitation straw hat and to the method orprocess of producing the same.

My invention has for its prime object the production economically, froma woven paper-strand hat-body, of a strong, durable, inexpensive, andsubstantially water-proof hat having a unique and attractive lustre andcolor and imitatively resembling a genuine straw hat.

In the accompanying drawing,-

Figure 1 shows a woven paper-strand hat-body in its rough or originalstate or condition;

Figure 1a is an enlarged fragmental view of the woven paper-strands ofthe hat-body of Figure 1;

Figure 2 shows the hat-body at the conclusion oi'the first step of theprocess, wherein the rough hat-body is given a preliminary shaping;

.Figure 3 illustrates the second step of the process, wherein the shapedhat-body is dipped in a sizing solution;

Figure l shows the sized hat-body at the conclusion of the third step ofthe process, wherein the dipped hat-body is dried and when dry istrimmed and blocked or moldedlto its final desired shape;

Figure 5 represents the fourth step 01'. the process, wherein the sizedand blocked hat-body is sprayed or otherwise coated with a surfacefinish for proofing the same against the elements and imparting adesirable color and. lustre to the hat;

Figure 6 shows the finished commercial hat into which the raw hat-bodyof Figure 1, processed through the several steps mentioned, has beenconverted; 'and Figure 6a is an enlarged fragmental view of the wovenpaper-strands of the finished commercial hat of Figure 6.

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to the drawing,A designates a woven paper-sLrand hat-body in the raw or originalcondition in which it is received from the manufacturer, and it may bestated that the hat-body A is rough in appearance, with more or lesswidely spaced strands, unattractive in color and lustre, soft andpliable and lacking the stiffness and durability requisite forsatisfactory wearing qualities, readily absorbs moisture, and merelyapproximately conforms to the desired shape and contour of the finishedhat.

Now, in accordance with my invention, the hat body A is first subjectedto pressure in a suitable mold or die, and thereby given a preliminaryshaping or blocking, the hat-body B, as blocked, being preferably formedwith a longitudinal crown-ridge 1 for reinforcing and strengthening thehat-structure and improving its appearance, as best seen in Figure 2.

The hat-body B is then dipped or immersed in a suitable sizing solutionor substance 2 for imparting to the hat-body the stifiness and strengthrequisite for retaining its shape, this stage or step of the processbeing represented in Figure 3. Preferably the sizing solution -2 is ofthe cellulosegum type and comprises a collodian varnish, as pyroxylin,combined with a suitable gum, as (laminar, and a solvent as ethylacetate, mixed in the following approximate proportions, by weight,namely, pyroxylin 20%, ethyl acetate 4.0%, and dammar-solution 40%. Thesolution 2 is hence substantially a lacquerwhich readily permeates intothe hat-body and penetrates both into the pores of the hat material andinto the strand interstices. More or less of the ethyl acetate solventmay be employed for obtaining the desired or more suitable-viscosity orliquidity of the solution, as may best serve the purpose of impregnatingthe hat-body with the lacquer solution.

The dipped hat C is removed from the sizing solution 2 and then dried inany suitable manner or by any convenient means, the absorption of thesizing by the paper sLrands giving a flat finish to the hat-body and theweaving of the strands being readily discernible, as seen at 3 in Figurel.

The rough edge of the brim of the so treated hat-body is then trimmed,folded over, and sewed, as at 4, and the treated hat-body is thensubjected to pressure in a. suitable mold or die for imparting to thehat-body its final shape and contour, the stiffening crown-ridge 1 beingpreferably further accentuated in the finally blocked and shapedhat-body D,as best seen in Figure 4.

The sized and blocked hat-body D is then sprayed with a finish-lacquer 5also preferably of the cellulose-gum type comprising a vehicle ofpyroxylin and dammar solution in ethyl acetate, to which is added such asubstantial proportion of so-called inert or filler substances, as zincoxide, lithopone, and titanium oxide, and to which is also added astabilizing agent, as picric acid, as to provide on the surface of thehatbody a sufiiciently dense and opaque coating of a pleasing,preferably white color. The lacquer 5, by reason of the pigmentstherein, forms on the hat-body a tenacious coating which issubstantially impervious to moisture and the action of the elements,which largely fills the interstices of the paper weaving, and whichforms a glossy,

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smooth, and even surface on the sprayed hatbody E, as best seen inFigure 5. More specifically, it may be stated that the finish-lacquer orspray 5 comprises the ingredients named in approximately the followingproportions, namely,

zinc oxide, one pound, lithopone, one pound, titanium oxide, one pound,pyroxylin, one pound, dammar solution, four pints, ethyl acetate, fourpints, and picric acid, one and twenty-eight hundredths grams pergallon.

The sprayed hat E is then permitted to dry, and when dry the hat E isstrong, durable, and waterproof, may be readily cleaned by washing withwater, and is of unique and pleasing color and glossy, opaque finish,resembling in large degree a genuine straw hat, its more or less openweaving being clear and distinct and. while effectively shedding water,permitting the entrance of air for ventilation.

The sprayed hat E is then equipped with the usual trimmings as anexterior hat-band 6 and an interior sweat-band (not shown), the finishedhat F being then immediately available for consumer use.

By reason of the cheapness of the raw hatbody A and the economy of myprocess by which the hat F is produced, the hat F may be produced tosell at a price much less, so far as I am aware, than hats of othermaterials possessing comparable characteristics.

It will be understood that changes and modifications in the severalsteps of the process, the composition of the several solutions employed,and the shape and contour of the finished hat may be made andsubstituted for those herein shown and described without departing fromthe nature and principles of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is,

1. An imitation straw-hat comprising a woven paper-strand body stiffenedand water-proofed by a permanent surface coating of cellulose-gumlacquer.

2. An imitation straw hat comprising a'woven paper-strand body stiffenedby a sizing coating of cellulose-gum lacquer and further stiffened andwater-proofed by an overlying permanent surface coating of a secondcellulose-gum lacquer.

3. An imitation straw hat comprising a woven paper-strand body stiffenedby a sizing coating of a transparent cellulose-gum lacquer and furtherstiffened and water-proofed by an overlying permanent surface coating ofopaque cellulose-gum lacquer.

l. An imitation straw hat comprising a woven paper-strand body stiffenedand water-proofed by a permanent surface coating of cellulose-gumlacquer containing a filler substance composed of zinc oxide, lithopone,and titanium oxide.

5. An imitation straw hat comprising a woven paper-strand body stiffenedand water-proofed. by a permanent surface coating comprising zinc oxide,lithopone, titanium oxide, pyroxylin, dammar, and ethyl acetate.

6. An imitation straw hat comprising a woven paperestrand body stiffenedand watenproofed by a permanent surface coating comprising zinc ox de,lithopone, titanium oxide, pyroxylin, dammar, ethyl acetate, and picricacid.

7. As an article of manufacture, a hat comprising a woven body stiffenedby a sizing coating and having upon its outer surface a coating ofcellulose-gumlacquer.

8. As an article of manufacture, a hat comprising a woven body stiffenedthroughout by a sizing of celluose-gum-lacquerand having upon its outersurface a finish coating of cellulose-gumlacquer.

9. As an article of manufacture, a hat comprising a fabricatedpaper-strand body stiffened throughout by a sizing ofcellulose-gum-lacquer and having upon its outer surface a finish coatingof cellulose-gu1n-lacquer.

10. As an article of manufacture, a hat cornprising a woven paper-strandbody stiffened throughout by a Waterproofing material and hav ing uponits outer surface a finish coating of waterproofing material.

11. As an artice of manufacture, a hat com prising a pressed and shapedwoven body stiffened with waterproofing material and having upon itsouter surface a finish coating comprising cellulose-gum-lacquer.

12. As an article of manufacture, a hat com prising a pressed and shapedfabricated paperstrand body stiffened throughout with waterproofingmaterial and having upon its outer surface a finish coating comprisingcellulose-gumlacquer.

EDWARD WITTCOEF.

